The Haad Tien Beach Resort is not just the best upscale pick on Koh Tao, it's the only upscale pick on Koh Tao. It's also the only resort on the island's most beautiful beach, but the remote locale means there is no village within walking distance, and the resort takes  full advantage of this by charging relatively high prices for food and drink. The rustic-luxe, bungalow-style villas have plenty of romantic appeal, and the lush, sprawling property dotted with coconut palms has a chic, ocean-view swimming pool and a (pricey) spa. It's easily the top choice on Koh Tao for honeymooners, or anyone in search of a special beach escape. Jamahkiri has similar prices, but its rooms aren't as charming and its beach is small and manmade. 

The Place is a perfect getaway for those looking for a tranquil escape. Hidden in the hills of Koh Tao, it only has nine private villas, each completely separate and surrounded by trees, looking out to the sea. Elegant, rustic-luxe rooms all feature elegant wood floors, kitchen facilities, and large plunge pools on the decks. Once checked in, the staff basically leave guests alone, but provide mobile phones they can use for food delivery and taxi pick-ups. The resort doesn't have any facilities so to speak of, not even a restaurant, but most guests come here for privacy and romance, and are content to spend most of their time lounging on the deck.

The Koh Tao Bamboo Huts are set in a gorgeous location, right on a small white-sand beach. Bungalows here come with outdoor showers and some have their own pools. Wi-Fi is available in the rooms although service is not always reliable, and there are a few dining options, including the romantic Starlight, a dinner spot with beautiful sunset views. Visitors should be prepared to do a lot of walking, as the resort is spread out and getting from spot to spot often requires steep trudges. Rates are a bit hard to justify when the more upscale Haad Tien costs about the same (or less). 

This small, 17-room boutique resort overlooking the beautiful sea and Nang Yuan Island below is a fabulous, secluded romantic getaway. It's built into into a hillside, and almost the last resort up a mountain road toward the northern end of the island. Views from the infinity-edge pool are hard to top anywhere on Koh Tao. The resort's Ocean Lounge is as romantic as they come, perfect for sunset cocktails and gourmet candlelit dinners. Rooms have attractive (if not quite luxurious) Thai decor and free Wi-Fi; some have private pools. The small size means that guests can expect plenty of personalized staff attention. Just note that the resort is not on the beach.

The Jamahkiri has been around for awhile and shows its age in places. However, if one is looking for a secluded spot to get away from it all on Koh Tao, it's hard to beat. Hidden on a hillside on the southern coast of the island, the resort overlooks beautiful Shark Bay and Haad Tien Beach. Unfortunately, the resort is not on the beach (unlike the nearby and similarly priced Haad Tien), and requires a short boat trip to get to white sand. The rooms feature nice wood floors, rain showers, tubs, and private balconies, and the resort does have a lovely swimming pool, but getting anywhere involves lots of steep steps, and trips to the restaurant and spa can be exhausting. Staying way out here can be costly too, as the prices are high and there's nothing within walking distance.